Code Of Conduct
AURA CODE OF CONDUCT
All Reiki channels are encouraged always to treat Reiki and the practice of Reiki with respect and not to misrepresent or speak negatively of Reiki
1.PERSONAL REIKI
| 1.1 | Reiki channels at all levels are encouraged to use Reiki on a daily basis |
| 1.2 | Reiki channels at all levels are encouraged to use Reiki as one element in a program of responsible self-care, care for human society, the natural world and for planetary healing. |
2.INTERPERSONAL SHARING OF REIKI
| 2.1. | Reiki channels at all levels are encouraged to share the Reiki energy hands-on, and those attuned to Reiki II are encouraged to send distant Reiki, in support of others’ healing, development, goal attainment and the promotion of their well-being, happiness and enlightenment. |
| 2.2 | The interpersonal practice of Reiki should be conducted on the basis of respect for the recipient of the Reiki energy, should be undertaken with the consent of the recipient, insofar as this is possible. Reiki should never be applied against the wishes of the recipient. |
| 2.3 | Reiki should not be applied to achieve a specific outcome nor be used to obtain an advantage or to manipulate another person |
| 2.4 | Reiki channels should not reveal the sacred and secret Reiki symbols to persons not entitled to see or hear them. |
3.PRACTICE OF REIKI IN PUBLIC CONTEXTS
| 3.1. | Reiki channels at all levels are encouraged to share the Reiki energy hands-on in support of others’ healing, development, goal attainment and the promotion of their well-being, happiness and enlightenment. |
| 3.2 | The public practice of Reiki should be conducted on the basis of respect for Reiki and for the recipient of the Reiki energy. It should be undertaken with the consent of the recipient, insofar as this is possible, should not be applied against the wishes of the recipient and should not involve inappropriate touching or suggestions. |
| 3.3 | Reiki channels providing Reiki in public should dress and behave with decorum, should not be under the influence of alcohol or prohibited substances, should not make unverifiable claims for the effectiveness of Reiki, or disparage or speak negatively about other Reiki channels, schools or lineages. |
| 3.4 | Reiki should not be applied where its application entails a legal, psychological or physical risk to either the Reiki channel or the recipient. |
| 3.5 | No claims should be made as to the use of Reiki to heal specific medical or psychological conditions, no advice should be provided regarding medical or pharmaceutical treatment, and no diagnoses or prognoses should be made. |
4.REIKI PRACTICE IN FORMAL CONTEXTS
| 4.1 | The practice of Reiki in formally constituted contexts should be conducted on the basis of respect for Reiki, for the recipient of the Reiki energy, for the law and for compliance with the rules, guidelines and obligations imposed by the particular institution, facility or context.Formally regulated contexts may include courts, prisons, government facilities, and educational institutions, and clinical contexts may include hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and medical and health care clinics. |
| 4.2 | Reiki services should be undertaken with the knowledge and consent of the responsible authority in the facility, clinic or other context |
| 4.3 | Where a person qualified to provide Reiki is employed or contracted by a formally constituted facility, institution or clinic to provide professional services, such as medical, nursing, adjunct therapies, technical, counseling, social work or other therapeutic or administrative services, the person so employed or contracted should comply with their respective codes of professional conduct and ethics. |
| 4.5 | Where a person qualified to provide Reiki volunteers to provide Reiki services in a formally constituted facility, institution or clinic, whether at the instigation of the organization or of the intended recipient or the recipient’s authorized representative, the volunteer should comply with the AURA Inc. codes of professional conduct and ethics AND should ensure that they are covered by insurance. |
| 4.6 | Reiki should not be applied where its application entails a legal, psychological or physical risk to either the Reiki channel or the recipient. |
| 4.7 | No claims should be made as to the use of Reiki to heal specific medical or psychological conditions, no advice should be provided regarding medical or pharmaceutical treatment, and no diagnoses or prognoses should be made. |
5.COMMERCIAL PROVISION OF REIKI SERVICES
| 5.1 | Persons providing Reiki services on a commercial basis are required to comply with Commonwealth and State legislation, including the laws governing business registration, taxation, insurance, occupational safety and health, the Trade Practices Act and those governing alternative health care modalities, training and facilities. Where there is a conflict between Commonwealth or State legislation and this Code of Conduct, the legislation will prevail. (See Attachment 1). |
| 5.2 | Persons providing Reiki services on a commercial basis are required to meet specific standards relating to:
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| 5.3 | Where an appropriately qualified person is employed, hired or contracted to provide Reiki services, the person so employed or contracted should comply with these codes of professional conduct and ethics |
| 5.4 | Reiki should not be applied where its application entails a legal, psychological or physical risk to either the Reiki channel or the recipient. |
| 5.5 | No claims should be made as to the use of Reiki to heal specific medical or psychological conditions, no advice should be provided regarding medical or pharmaceutical treatment, and no diagnoses or prognoses should be made. |
| 5.6 | Reiki channels are encouraged always to treat Reiki and the practice of Reiki with respect, not to misrepresent the capabilities of Reiki or speak negatively of Reiki, and not to misuse their position as a Reiki practitioner or teaching Reiki Master to take physical, psychological or financial advantage of their client or student |
- RESEARCH
| 6.1 | Research into Reiki should be conducted using Reiki channels who have been attuned by a teaching Reiki Master who teaches in accordance with the standards, codes and benchmarks promulgated by AURA. |
| 6.2 | Research into Reiki should be conducted in accordance with valid scientific qualitative and quantitative methodologies which include principled observation, principled description, valid analyses and principled explanation. |
| 6.3 | Research into Reiki should be conducted and reported in accordance with professional ethical standards. |
| 6.4 | The reporting of research into Reiki should include full written disclosure of the organization or persons providing funding or sponsorship of the research, having a vested interest in or otherwise influencing, or having the potential to influence, the outcome of the research. |
AURA COMPLAINTS HANDLING PROCEDURE
In the case of a complaint lodged against a member of AURA Inc., the following procedures apply in all States:
- The Member notifies the Executive Committee of AURA as soon as possible that the complaint has been made.
- Complaints must be documented in writing and all information relating to the complaint provided to the Executive Committee of AURA before a case will be considered.
- The Executive Committee of AURA will convene a Complaints Handling Sub-Committee with at least 3 members, one of whom will be the President or nominee of the President.
- The complaint will be investigated, and as far as possible resolved by negotiation within 1 calendar month
Members of AURA are referred also to the legislated requirements for complaints handling in NSW. (Attachment 1.)
NSW CODE OF CONDUCT FOR UNREGISTERED PRACTITIONERS
Reiki practitioners in all States of Australia are advised of the Code of Conduct for unregistered practitioners which came into force in New South Wales on 1st August 2008. Reiki practitioners are unregistered practitioners for the purposes of this legislation. Unregistered practitioners in NSW are now required to display the Health Care Complaints Commission’s Code of Conduct and Complaints Procedures in a publicly accessible place within their practice and to adhere to the Code and the Procedures.
The full text of these requirements is located at
http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/html/Code_Contuct_Unregistered_page.htm
The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission has power to deal with and investigate complaints about an unregistered health service provider breaching the code of conduct.
The Commission has powers to take action against unregistered health practitioners, including issuing prohibition orders.
It can reasonably be anticipated that equivalent requirements will also be enacted into law in other States of Australia, affecting all Reiki practitioners. It is recommended that Reiki practitioners familiarize themselves with these requirements and take steps to achieve compliance.
In summary, the NSW HCCC Code of Conduct specifies the following key aspects:
- Health practitioners must provide health services in a safe and ethical manner.
- Health practitioners diagnosed with an infectious medical condition must ensure that he or she practises in a manner that does not put clients at risk.
- Health practitioners must not make claims to cure certain serious illnesses.
- Health practitioners must adopt standard precautions for infection control.
- Health practitioners must not dissuade clients from seeking or continuing with treatment by a registered medical practitioner and must accept the rights of their clients to make informed choices in relation to their health care.
- Health practitioners must not practise under the influence or alcohol or drugs.
- Health practitioners must not practise with certain physical or mental conditions.
- Health practitioners must not financially exploit clients.
- Health practitioners are required to have an adequate clinical basis for treatments.
- Health practitioners must not misinform their clients.
- Health practitioners must not engage in a sexual or improper personal relationship with a client.
- Health practitioners must comply with relevant privacy laws.
- Health practitioners must keep appropriate records.
- Health practitioners must keep appropriate insurance.
- Health practitioners must display code and other information (with some exceptions).
The NSW HCCC recommends that some basic steps are followed in responding where concerns are expressed by a client.
- Acknowledge the complaint
- Try to resolve the complaint directly with the complainant
- Be aware of differing views of what happened and what was said
- Reassure the complainant
- Have a complaint handling mechanism already in place
The Code of Conduct is prescribed by the Public Health (General) Regulation 2002.
1 Definitions
In this code of conduct: health practitioner, health registration Act and health service have the same
meanings as in the Health Care Complaints Act 1993.
Note. The Health Care Complaints Act 1993 defines those terms as follows:
health practitioner means a natural person who provides a health service (whether or not the person is
registered under a health registration Act).
health registration Act means any of the following Acts:
Chiropractors Act 2001 Dental Technicians Registration Act 1975 Dental Practice Act 2001
Medical Practice Act 1992 Nurses and Midwives Act 1991 Optical Dispensers Act 1963
Optometrists Act 2002 Osteopaths Act 2001 Pharmacy Practice Act 2006
Physiotherapists Act 2001 Podiatrists Act 2003 Psychologists Act 2001.
health service includes the following services, whether provided as public or private services:
(a) medical,hospital and nursing services,
(b) dental services,
(c) mental health services,
(d) pharmaceutical services,
(e) ambulance services,
(f) community health services,
(g) health education services,
(h) welfare services necessary to implement any services referred to in paragraphs (a)–(g),
(i) services provided by podiatrists, chiropractors, osteopaths, optometrists, physiotherapists, psychologists and optical dispensers,
(j) services provided by dieticians, masseurs, naturopaths, acupuncturists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, audiometrists and radiographers,
(k) services provided in other alternative health care fields, (k1) forensic pathology services, (l) a service prescribed by the regulations as a health service for the purposes of this Act.
2 Application of code of conduct
This code of conduct applies to the provision of health services by:
(a) health practitioners who are not required to be registered under a health registration Act (including deregistered health practitioners), and
(b) health practitioners who are registered under a health registration Act who provide health services that are unrelated to their registration.
Note. Health practitioners may be subject to other requirements relating to the provision of health services to which this Code applies, including, for example, requirements imposed by Part 2A of the Act and the regulations under the Act relating to skin penetration procedures.
3 Health practitioners to provide services in safe and ethical manner
(1) A health practitioner must provide health services in a safe and ethical manner.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1), health practitioners must comply with the following principles:
(a) a health practitioner must maintain the necessary competence in his or her field of practice,
(b) a health practitioner must not provide health care of a type that is outside his or her experience or training,
(c) a health practitioner must prescribe only treatments or appliances that serve the needs of the client,
(d) a health practitioner must recognise the limitations of the treatment he or she can provide and refer clients to other competent health practitioners in appropriate circumstances,
(e) a health practitioner must recommend to his or her clients that additional opinions and services be sought, where appropriate,
(f) a health practitioner must assist his or her clients to find other appropriate health care professionals, if required and practicable,
(g) a health practitioner must encourage his or her clients to inform their treating medical practitioner (if any) of the treatments they are receiving,
(h) a health practitioner must have a sound understanding of any adverse interactions between the therapies and treatments he or she provides or prescribes and any other medications or treatments, whether prescribed or not, that the health practitioner is aware the client is taking or receiving,
(i) a health practitioner must ensure that appropriate first aid is available to deal with any misadventure during a client consultation,
(j) a health practitioner must obtain appropriate emergency assistance (for example, from the Ambulance Service) in the event of any serious misadventure during a client consultation.
4 Health practitioners diagnosed with infectious medical condition
(1) A health practitioner who has been diagnosed with a medical condition that can be passed on to clients must ensure that he or she practises in a manner that does not put clients at risk.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1), a health practitioner who has been diagnosed with a medical condition that can be passed on to clients should take and follow advice from an appropriate medical practitioner on the steps to be taken to modify his or her practice to avoid the possibility of transmitting that condition to
5 Health practitioners not to make claims to cure certain serious illnesses
(1) A health practitioner must not hold himself or herself out as qualified, able or willing to cure cancer and other terminal illnesses.
(2) A health practitioner may make a claim as to his or her ability or willingness to treat or alleviate the symptoms of those illnesses if that claim can be substantiated.
6 Health practitioners to adopt standard precautions for infection control
(1) A health practitioner must adopt standard precautions for the control of infection in his or her practice.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1), a health practitioner who carries out a skin penetration procedure within the meaning of section 51 (3) of the Act must comply with the relevant regulations under the Act in relation to the carrying out of the procedure.
7 Appropriate conduct in relation to treatment advice
(1) A health practitioner must not attempt to dissuade clients from seeking or continuing with treatment by
a registered medical practitioner.
(2) A health practitioner must accept the right of his or her clients to make informed choices in relation to their health care.
(3) A health practitioner should communicate and co-operate with colleagues and other health care
practitioners and agencies in the best interests of their clients.
(4) A health practitioner who has serious concerns about the treatment provided to any of his or her
clients by another health practitioner must refer the matter to the Health Care Complaints Commission.
8 Health practitioners not to practise under influence of alcohol or drugs
(1) A health practitioner must not practise under the influence of alcohol or unlawful drugs.
(2) A health practitioner who is taking prescribed medication must obtain advice from the prescribing health practitioner on the impact of the medication on his or her ability to practice and must refrain from treating clients in circumstances where his or her ability is or may be impaired.
9 Health practitioners not to practise with certain physical or mental conditions
A health practitioner must not practice while suffering from a physical or mental impairment, disability, condition or disorder (including an addiction to alcohol or a drug, whether or not prescribed) that detrimentally affects, or is likely to detrimentally affect, his or her ability to practice or that places clients at risk of harm.
10 Health practitioners not to financially exploit clients
(1) A health practitioner must not accept financial inducements or gifts for referring clients to other
health practitioners or to the suppliers of medications or therapeutic goods or devices.
(2) A health practitioner must not offer financial inducements or gifts in return for client referrals from other health practitioners.
(3) A health practitioner must not provide services and treatments to clients unless they are designed
to maintain or improve the clients’ health or wellbeing.
11 Health practitioners required to have clinical basis for treatments
A health practitioner must not diagnose or treat an illness or condition without an adequate clinical
12 Health practitioners not to misinform their clients
(1) A health practitioner must not engage in any form of misinformation or misrepresentation in relation to the products or services he or she provides or as to his or her qualifications, training or professional
(2) A health practitioner must provide truthful information as to his or her qualifications, training or professional affiliations if asked by a client.
(3) A health practitioner must not make claims, either directly or in advertising or promotional material, about the efficacy of treatment or services provided if those claims cannot be substantiated.
13 Health practitioners not to engage in sexual or improper personal relationship with client
(1) A health practitioner must not engage in a sexual or other close personal relationship with a client.
(2) Before engaging in a sexual or other close personal relationship with a former client, a health practitioner must ensure that a suitable period of time has elapsed since the conclusion of their therapeutic relationship.
14 Health practitioners to comply with relevant privacy laws
A health practitioner must comply with the relevant legislation of the State or the Commonwealth relating to his or her clients’ personal information.
15 Health practitioners to keep appropriate records
A health practitioner must maintain accurate, legible and contemporaneous clinical records for each client consultation.
16 Health practitioners to keep appropriate insurance
A health practitioner should ensure that appropriate indemnity insurance arrangements are in place in relation to his or her practice.
17 Certain health practitioners to display code and other information
(1) A health practitioner must display a copy of each of the following documents at all premises where the health practitioner carries on his or her practice:
(a) this code of conduct,
(b) a document that gives information about the way in which clients may make a complaint to the Health Care Complaints Commission, being a document in a form approved by the Director-General of the Department of Health.
(2) Copies of those documents must be displayed in a position and manner that makes them easily visible to clients entering the relevant premises.
(3) This clause does not apply to any of the following premises:
(a) the premises of any body within the public health system (as defined in section 6 of the Health Services Act 1997),
(b) private hospitals or day procedure centres (as defined in the Private Hospitals and Day Procedure Centres Act 1988),
(c) premises of the Ambulance Service of NSW (as defined in the Health Services Act 1997),
(d) premises of approved providers (within the meaning of the Aged Care Act 1997 of the Commonwealth).
Concerned about your health care?
The Code of Conduct for unregistered health practitioners sets out what you can expect from your provider. If you are concerned about the health service that was provided to you or your next of kin, talk to the practitioner immediately. In most cases the health service provider will try to resolve them. If you are not satisfied with the provider’s response, contact the Inquiry Service of the Health Care Complaints Commission for a confidential discussion on (02) 9219 7444 or toll free on 1800 043 159. If your complaint is about sexual or physical assault or relates to the immediate health or safety of a person, you should contact the Commission immediately.
What is the Health Care Complaints Commission?
The Health Care Complaints Commission is an independent body dealing with complaints about health services to protect the public health and safety.
Service in other languages
The Commission uses interpreting services to assist people whose first language is not English. If you need an interpreter, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask to be connected to the Health Care Complaints Commission on 1800 043 159 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday)
More Information
For more information about the Health Care Complaints Commission, visit www.hccc.nsw.gov.au.
Contact the Health Care Complaints Commission
Office address: Level 13, 323 Castlereagh Street, SYDNEY NSW 2000,
9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday
Post address: Locked Mail Bag 18, STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012
Telephone: (02) 92197444 or toll free in NSW 1800 043 159
Fax: (02) 9281 4585
E-mail: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au
People using telephone typewriters please call (02) 9219 7555
